Positionally optimized saddle dropper post

Abstract

A bicycle frame includes a front triangle comprising a head tube and a bottom bracket shell, a tension bar comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the tension bar is pivotably connected to an upper portion of a telescoping seat post assembly, and a first fore pivot assembly at a first reach point. The first reach point is between a reach point of the bottom bracket shell and a reach point of the head tube. The first fore pivot assembly is pivotably connected to the second end of the tension bar. The frame further includes an aft pivot assembly at a second reach point, wherein the second reach point is closer to the reach point of the bottom bracket shell than the first reach point, and wherein the aft pivot assembly is pivotably connected to a lower portion of the telescoping seat post assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bicycle frame comprising:
 a front triangle comprising a head tube and a bottom bracket shell;   a tension bar comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the tension bar is pivotably connected to an upper portion of a telescoping seat post assembly;   a first fore pivot assembly at a first reach point,
 wherein the first reach point is between a reach point of the bottom bracket shell and a reach point of the head tube, 
 and wherein the first fore pivot assembly is pivotably connected to the second end of the tension bar; and 
   an aft pivot assembly at a second reach point,
 wherein the second reach point is closer to the reach point of the bottom bracket shell than the first reach point, and 
 wherein the aft pivot assembly is pivotably connected to a lower portion of the telescoping seat post assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a top tube assembly comprising a first end and a second end,   wherein the first end of the top tube assembly is connected to the head tube, and   wherein the second end of the top tube assembly comprises a portion in which a centerline of the frame is exposed proximate to the aft pivot assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a seat tube assembly comprising a first end and a second end,   wherein the first end of the seat tube assembly is connected to the bottom bracket shell, and   wherein the second end of the seat tube assembly comprises a portion in which a centerline of the frame is exposed proximate to the aft pivot assembly.   
     
     
         4 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , further comprising a top tube assembly connected to the head tube,
 wherein the first fore pivot assembly is connected to the top tube assembly proximate to the head tube.   
     
     
         5 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , wherein the tension bar comprises a bend between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the telescoping seat post assembly comprises a seat clamp. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 ,
 wherein when the telescoping seat post assembly is moved from a compressed first position to an extended second position, the telescoping seat post assembly pivots from a first effective seat tube angle to a second effective seat tube angle, and   wherein the second effective seat tube angle is closer to vertical than the first effective seat tube angle.   
     
     
         8 . The bicycle frame of  claim 7 ,
 wherein when the telescoping seat post assembly is at the compressed first position, a saddle is at a first seat reach point,   wherein when the telescoping seat post assembly is at the extended second position, the saddle is at a second seat reach point,   wherein the second seat reach point is closer to the head tube than the first seat reach point.   
     
     
         9 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second fore pivot assembly at a third reach point, wherein the third reach point is between a reach point of the bottom bracket shell and the first reach point;   a first linkage pivotably connecting the first end of the tension bar to the first fore pivot assembly; and   a second linkage pivotably connecting the second fore pivot assembly to an attachment point on the tension bar.   
     
     
         10 . The bicycle frame of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a top tube assembly connected to the head tube,   wherein the second fore pivot assembly is connected to the top tube assembly.   
     
     
         11 . The bicycle frame of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a top tube assembly connected to the head tube,   wherein first fore pivot assembly is connected to the top tube assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The bicycle frame of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a down tube assembly,   wherein the first fore pivot assembly is connected to the down tube assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first top stay connected at a first end to the head tube and at a second end to a first rear dropout; and   a second top stay connected at a first end to the head tube and at a second end to a second rear dropout,   wherein the aft pivot assembly is connected to both the first top stay and the second top stay.   
     
     
         14 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 ,
 wherein a length of the tension bar is adjustable.   
     
     
         15 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , wherein a pivot point of the first fore pivot assembly is adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , wherein an effective seat tube angle of the telescoping seat post assembly increases as the telescoping seat post assembly extends. 
     
     
         17 . The bicycle frame of  claim 16 , wherein the effective seat tube angle of the telescoping seat post assembly increases substantially linearly as the telescoping seat post assembly extends. 
     
     
         18 . The bicycle frame of  claim 16 , wherein the effective seat tube angle of the telescoping seat post assembly increases progressively as the telescoping seat post assembly extends in length. 
     
     
         19 . The bicycle frame of  claim 1 , wherein the aft pivot assembly comprises:
 a retaining tube sized to fit the second portion of the telescoping seat post assembly;   a clamp for compressing the retaining tube around the second portion of the telescoping seat post assembly; and   an axle hanger connected to the retaining tube.